A DISABLED man who has barely left his room in five years is trying to set up a befriending scheme for other bedbound people.

Michael Halliday, who battles with Parkinson’s disease, has been bedridden since a fall when he damaged his knee five years ago. However, the former social services worker, of Teagles, Laindon, refuses to let his disabilities hold him back.

Mr Halliday, 45, said: “Bedbound people get very few visitors. Sometimes their carer is the only person they see every day and they can get very lonely.

“I want to set up a visiting scheme where other disabled people volunteer to be the arms and legs for bedbound people.

“I’m also working on starting a newsletter for disabled people and I hope to get other people to contribute to it.”

Although his body is weak, Mr Halliday’s mind isn’t. Since becoming bedridden, he has gained dozens of qualifications in social sciences.

For his latest venture, Mr Halliday is seeking help from the Essex Coalition of Disabled People, which runs a service seeks to encourage disabled people to join in community activities.

Mr Halliday said: “The coalition runs a visiting scheme, but it is different to the one I want to start. Their visitors come every few weeks.

“I want to set up a more long-term, befriending scheme for bedbound people.”

Anyone who wants to help can call Mr Halliday on 01268 417535.